Adjustable handle-bar for bicycles



Patented Sept. 6, I898.

J. M. BLASHFIELD.

ADJUSTABLE HANDLE BAR FUR BICYCLES.

A lication filed Nov. 4, 1897.:

(No Model.)

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withcawo A NITED STATES PATENT Pinon.

JAMES M. BLA SIIFIELD, OF JACKSON, MICHIGAN.

ADJUSTABLE HANDLE-BAR FOR BICYCLES.

SPECIFICATION forming part of Letters Patent No. 610,469, dated September 6, 1898. Application filed N v mber 4, 1897. Serialllo. 657,401. (No model.)

To all whom it may concern.-

Be it known that I, JAMES M. BLASHFIELD, a citizen of the United States, residing at J ackson, in the county of Jackson and State of Michigan, have invented certairinew and useful Improvements in Adj ustable Handle-Bars for Bicycles; and I do hereby declare the following to be a full, clear, and exact description of the invention, such as will enable others skilled in the art to which it apperiains to make and use the same.

My invention relates to an improved adj ustable handle-bar for bicycles, and has for its object to provide a handle-bar of novel construction in which the grips are independently adjustable to any desired angle and are adapted to be readily adjusted without the necessity of the rider dismounting.

The detailed objects and advantages of the invention will appear in the course of the subjoined description. r

I attain these objects by the mechanism illustrated in the accompanying drawings, in which Figure 1 is a perspective view of a handlebar embodying my invention. Fig. 2 is a horizontal section through the joint or swivel case of one handle-section of the bar; Fig. 3, a vertical longitudinal section of same; and Fig. 4 is a view similar to Fig. 3, but showing a modification in the construction of the joint and lock mechanism.

1 represents the handle-bar,which is divided to form three sectionsa central section 2, fitted in the sleeve of the T-shaped head-tube post 3, and two handle-sections 4, carrying at their outer ends suitable handles or grips, which are adapted to be grasped by the hands of the rider. The said central section is provided at each end with a vertically-arranged cup or case section 5, the annular flange 6 of which projects outwardly and lies within the line of the inner side of-said central section, and this flange is provided with a series of circumferential openings 6. Each handle-section 4 is also provided at its inner end with a similar vertically-arranged cup or case-section 7, having its annular flange 8 facing outwardly and adapted to receive the flange of said section 5, and these two sections are united by a pivot-bolt 9, as shown. The two sections 5 7 thus constructed and united form together a with the inner end of said bolt. v pieces may be readily and conveniently operswivel cup or case on which each handle-section 4 is adapt-ed to turn in a vertical plane to vary the angle of adjustment of the grips or hand-grasps.

In order to hold each handle-section rigid in adjusted position, a bolt 10, sliding through an orificell in the end of said section, and a guide 12 therein, is provided to engage the openings 6 in the flange of the case-section 5. This bolt is provided with a head 13, and a spiral spring 14, encompassing said bolt between said head and the guide 12, serves to hold it normally projected. The bolt is retracted by a sliding thumb-piece 15, having a stem 16 projecting through and sliding in a slot 17 in the handle-section and connected These thumbated and the handle-bar sections adjusted without the necessity of the rider dismounting or even removing his hands from the bar. In the embodiment of my invention illustrated in Fig. 4 I have shown the flange of the case-section 5 formed with sockets 6 in lieu of the'openings 6. v In these sockets are seated an annular series of bearing-balls 18, on which the casefsection 7 is adapted to turn. The outer end of the bolt 10 in'this instance is countersunk to partially encompass either one of the balls and hold it immovable, thereby locking the case-section 7 against movement.

From the above description, taken in connection with the accompanying drawings, it will be seen that my invention provides a simply-constructed handle-bar in which the handle-sections may be readily adjusted together or independently and rigidly locked in adjusted position without removing the hands from the bar.

Having thus fully described my invention, What I claim as new and useful, and desire to secure by Letters Patent, is-

1. An adjustable handle-bar for bicycles,

consisting of a central section fixed to the head-tube post and provided at each end with a vertical joint cup or case section, two independent handle-sections each provided at its inner end with a vertical joint cup or case section adapted to receive the flange of the case-section on the contiguous end of the central section, a bolt uniting said case-sections,

and a sliding bolt in each handle-section having an exterior thumb-piece and adapted to engage and hold the said joint case-sections locked, substantially as described,

2. An adjustable handle-bar for bicycles,

comprising the central section 2 fitted in the sleeve of the T-shaped head-tube 3 and provided at each end with a vertical joint cup or case half 5 having its flange projecting inwardly and formed with the openings 6,in combination with the handle-sections each provided at its inner end With a Vertical joint cup or case half 7 adapted to receive the flange of 

